FBI Searches Home in Anthrax Probe

June 25, 2002
By Christopher Newton, Associated Press Writer

WASHINGTON –– The FBI searched the home of a researcher near Fort Detrick, Md., who may have had access to anthrax while doing work for the Army base, a law enforcement official said Tuesday.

The researcher agreed to the search in hopes of removing himself from any possible suspicion, according to the official, who spoke on the condition of anonymity. It was unclear whether the researcher was a federal worker at Fort Detrick or a worker under contract with the Army base.

"This was a consensual search for which the only qualification was potential access to anthrax," the law enforcement official said. The official said the search was not unusual in the FBI's hunt for a suspect for last year's anthrax letter attacks.

Fort Detrick, which also is home to the U.S. Army Medical Research Institute of Infectious Diseases, has anthrax samples. The FBI is conducting voluntary lie detector tests at the base.

At the conclusion of the search, no arrests were made.

© 2002 The Associated Press
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